By Holly Rowland

The only birds flying by my window on a regular basis are two Canada Geese. They make enough noise for at least a dozen, but it’s a change from the shrieks of seagulls as they float above us resting on the wind. That nasty, cold wind that that has literally taken the wind from out of my sails! I did take my first ride on my scooter since last fall, and it was quite an event! I am suffering from that universal bug that makes one’s nose run like an Olympian, and cough like a smoker of a hundred cigarettes per day, but a trip to have my monthly blood tests was long overdue. So I took off on my scooter and drove to the Clinic. If one is old and carries a stick kindness shines like a bright beacon, and James Bayites are leaders in this field. Women, almost as old as I, jumped up and offered me their chair…as well as their brightest smiles. Even growing old in James Bay has its brighter moments.

It was sad to see the death of Charlton Heston, and one seems to see his pictures more often on television these days. I had the joy of meeting him in Halifax twenty-odd years ago. A friend of mine had a Gallery featuring Inuit Art in one of the leading Hotels, and I used to go in on weekends from time to time, to give her a respite. One Saturday I looked up from my desk and saw a tall, handsome man, wearing a kilt complete with sporran. Remember that this was Nova Scotia and men dressed in the kilt were, and still probably are, quite commonplace. I approached him and told him that I had immediately recognized him and that he was even more good looking than he was in the Movies. And that I had reached the age where I could tell him that. We discussed Inuit Art and I enjoyed talking to this charming actor and thought no more about it. The next day, the concierge dressed in her scarlet and gold uniform came into the Gallery. She had a crisp white envelope in her hand and it was addressed to me in the most beautiful copperplate. It was a “Thank You Note” from my famous visitor who had just left, and I have it to this day. I told the concierge that I was lucky to be one of those who had received a note from the distinguished actor, and she told me that I was the only one. I only met him once but I will never forget his kindness.

Old Victoria has changed so much, but we James Bayites are so lucky to live in James Bay where building heights remain constant and Beacon Hill Park will always be there to rest our eyes and bodies and restore our souls. And, by the time you read this, we may finally be enjoying the warmth of the sun. I think that we truly deserve this after the long, cold winter and late spring.